Equal Benefits Ordinance: Philadelphia, Penn.

Applies to:

Extend the same employment benefits the contractor extends to spouses of its employees to “life partners” of its employees for:

(a) Employees who reside in the City;

(b) Employees who are non-residents subject to City wage tax.

Exceptions & Waivers

If a contractor’s existing agreement with its employment benefits provider does not permit the extension of employment benefits to the life partners of the contractor’s employees at the time the contractor enters into a Service Contract with the City, the contractor shall arrange for the extension of employment benefits to the life partners of its employees to be effective as soon as practicable, but in no case more than one year after the date of execution of the Service Contract.

The City may waive the requirement:

Where application of the provisions of this Chapter would result in the loss of federal, state or similar funds or grants, or is otherwise prohibited by federal or state law.

Where the contractor certifies, and the City finds, that compliance with the provisions of this Chapter would interfere with a collective bargaining agreement between the contractor and any of its employees.

Where the contractor certifies, and the City finds, that (a) the contractor is operated, supervised, or controlled by a bona fide religious institution or organization for charitable purposes, and (b) compliance with the provisions of this Chapter would conflict with the beliefs of the religion with which the contracting organization is identified.

Where waiving the provisions of this Chapter would be in the best interests of the City.

Enforcement

A contractor subject to this ordinance who fails to comply with its provisions is in material breach of its contract with the City, and may be suspended or debarred from bidding on or participating in City contracts for up to three years.